November Cai-Vic Minutes 2004
Minutes of the Computerbank Victorian Branch meeting held on the Thursday 25th November 2004 on irc.freenode.net
Meeting Opened at 7.40pm
1. Introductions:
Present: Minutes - Tony Calenti (AJC), Chair - Kylie Davies (Kylie), Con Validas (Con), Rob Britain (Rob), Vic Koci (VK), Trish Fraser (TF), Greg Follett (GF), Julien Goodwin (JG). Late arrivals: Jan Smith (Jan) and Spectre- John Simpson (JSim). Apologies: Ed Chan (EC).
2. Confirmation of previous minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved without exceptions.
3.Matters arising:
3.1 Incorporation.
Kylie advised that we may not need to incorporate after all if we get a yes vote at a special general meeting to change the name of CAI back to CBV Inc. In response to queries around DGR, Kylie advised that Con and her were meeting with Clayton Utz and would report soon after. Kylie advised the group that a ruling of DGR for any Computerbank (or ITShare) would set a precedent for others.
3.2. Treasurer appointment.
Kylie advised that Norm Atkins will be filling this role as suggested by Rob, Kylie thanked Norm for his offer to help and Rob for his efforts in recruiting Norm.
3.3 Selection of volunteer to do testing/tagging training course.
It is still undecided as to how we will handle this, and there is some interest from volunteers (Rob, Greg, Simeon) to do the course. The course will cost $220.00 at RMIT and the equipment will cost around $1000.00.
Kylie advised that Adam and her had worked on a beg letter to send to suppliers of electrical equipment. Rob volunteered to send Kylie a list of suppliers.
3.4 Volunteer management/Recruitment
Kylie informs us that Simeon has resigned from this position as he is heading interstate for a little while. Kylie stated that the targeted job requirement approach to volunteer recruitment seems to work. Kylie is happy to run with being the contact for vol enquiries until next year. Con notes that we have recruited some excellent volunteers in the last half of 2004.
3.5 Community Jobs Program. Has KD looked into this?
Kylie replies that she looked into it and discovered that the round of funding was closing the very next day and that the application process is quite lengthy so we need to open dialogue with the Vic government to discuss / develop a proposal. We will do this for the new round next year.
3.6 Photocopying Has KD visited DOC? Can we still use their services?
Kylie has not visited DOC yet but will do so and if they cannot do photocopying for us gratis she ask them for a quote and hopefully they will respond with a good discount.
Tony adds that Office Works doesn't have concessions, but discounts apply if you do it yourself. Kylie suggested we use Office Works to print manuals, and other forms as needed. The manual has been reduced to 28 pages thanks to Con's work on removing the GNOME stuff. Kylie advised she would send Con and Rob the PDF version of the manual to put on recipient PCs. Some discussion took place on ways to save on printing costs. JSim suggested investigating government agencies and community organisations for cheap printing options.
3.7 Excess to needs equipment sale
Kylie advised that she sold an SLR camera on ebay and that we have developed a list of further items to be sold. Rob adds that an initial draft of an excess stock list plus pricing will be available this evening. JSim adds that Firewalls and monitors are also being sold.
Kylie tells us that many monitors are being disposed by donating to other groups and projects.
Kylie advised that Jan is interested in holding a garage sale early in December depending on what we have available to sell. A long discussion then ensued involving the whole committee which involved setting the date and time as well as ways to advertise the sale. It was decided that the garage sale would be held on the 11th December between 10.00am and 4.00pm with advertising on the Web site, in newspapers (thanks Jan) and on the MelbPC/LUV/MLUG user groups mailing lists.
3.8 Has Gnome been added to training room PCs?
Con replies that the addition of the gnome desktop to the training room computers went without a hitch and the xfe file manager was added as well. Kylie congratulates Con and WFD folk on this work.
Con explained that xfe has a MS explorer look and feel. We are looking at xfe as a possible konqueror replacement. Kylie states that xfe is lighter than Konqueror file manager. Con is currently working on the knoppix distro, with a view to adding xfe, supermount capabilities, and other enhancements.
3.9 Feedback from projects
Kylie advises that we have not received any feedback from overseas projects. Kylie/Con is following this up by contacting project partners. News will be reported when it is known.
3.10 Any progress on documenting procedures for server backup and maintenance?
Julien advised his report would cover this item.
3.11 Communications at CBV. How is the new three book system progressing?
Kylie replies that some people are using the books and some good notes have been made.
4. Agenda
4.1 Search for new premises and perhaps new directions.
Kylie advised that Our WFD CWC recommended that we do not move to Brunswick, Essendon, Ascot Vale due to project saturation. We are still waiting on list of appropriate postcodes from CWC. Tony suggested we prepare a priority list so we are not wasting our time searching for unacceptable premises. Then comes cost or size, parking, transport, etc.
Kylie advised that Kensington, Flemington, Moonee Ponds, and W.Melb were areas we could move to and suggested she would place an ad on our website. Some of our building needs were identified at the meeting, suggestions included disability access (or ability to add ramp easily enough), good access via public transport, parking availability, good ventilation, open plan like with a few rooms (training room area pretty important), roller door access and prefer street level type not raised (ie like cbv style) ie we can get proper recycling bins in.
A discussion around cost also arose out of this item, with Kylie advising we could afford up to 30K + GST per annum. The meeting also discussed space requirements and noted that storage costs could be saved if the new place was bigger than Rosslyn St (245m2).
Kylie advised that she had been writing a letter to the Vic government requesting support / assistance with relocation.
4.2 Computerbargains the Computerbank shop to sell surplus PC equipment to the public. Dream or possibility?
After some discussion it was decided that it might be possible to set up a thrift shop in the new premises. This idea will be addressed after more important needs like relocation have been satisfied.
5. Reports 5.1 State Coordinators report (KD)
Kylie has sent report to the list.
5.2 Treasurers report. We do not have a treasurer at the present time. 5.3 Projects (RB) 5.4 User Support (CV)
Con to send report to the list.
5.5 Donations report (KD & RB) 5.6 Documentation report (JS)
Jan advised she has asked obsidian to upgrade silva. Jan has tested the docs in the updated version of silva and reported that all worked fine except 3 images that didn't matter.
5.7 Internal systems report (JG)
Julien advised that he would move omnidimensional into the server rack. The issue of CBV backup will be addressed after the move of omnidimensional. Julien would like to sit down with kylie or con to work out back up needs.
5.8 Database report (OC) 5.9 Work For The Dole report (KD) 5.10 Technical Coordinators report (EC)
For other reports see the list.
6. Other Business
6.1 Trivia night next year
Due to our preoccupation with moving, Kylie suggested we visit this idea in February of next year.
6.2 Ecuador Project
Kylie advised of a possible project with NABUUR ( www.nabuur.com )/ Zapotillo in Ecuador but noted that there were power issues to address. The project would provide computers to set up an IT & internet centre. Around 30 - 40 computers would be required by the group. After some more discussion around power issues and the merits of project all committee agreed to go ahead with this project providing power issues could be overcome.
6.3 Laptop to Indymedia Burma
The meeting agreed to send a high end laptop to Indymedia Burma.
6.4 End of Year Celebrations
A show of hands was obtained to give Kylie some idea of who was coming to the Afternoon BBQ and/or the evening Vietnamese Soup restaurant.
Meeting declared closed at 11.14pm.
